Safety chain tie down apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tie down apparatus for securing an item is shown and described herein. The tie down apparatus may include first and second body members, where the first body member is configured to be located and rotated about a first axis within a first receiving member and the second body member is configured to be located and rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member. The tie down apparatus may also include first and second locking members each extending through the first and second body members, respectively, where rotating the first and second body members about the respective first and second axes engages the first and second locking members and generally prevents removal of the first and second body members from the first and second receiving member, and a safety chain holding member selectively engaged with either of the first and second body members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/101,271 filed on Nov. 23, 2020 and is entitled, “Safety Chain TieDown Apparatus,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/936,583 filed on Mar. 27, 2018 and is entitled, “Safety Chain TieDown Apparatus,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,843,513, which is a divisional ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/504,763, filed on Oct. 2, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,931,898 and is entitled “Safety Chain Tie Down Apparatus,”which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/885,602 filed Oct. 2, 2013, and entitled “Safety Chain Tie DownApparatus” which are both incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to hitches used for coupling atrailer to a towing vehicle and more particularly to a removable safetychain tie down apparatus for securing the safety chains of a trailerbeing towed.

BACKGROUND

There are many different types of hitches utilized to connect a towingvehicle with a towed vehicle, such as a trailer. These hitches attachthe towed vehicle with the towing vehicle in a variety of ways,depending on the type of hitch, towed vehicle, or towing vehicle. Someof the most common types of hitches include gooseneck, fifth wheel, rearmount, and the like. Towed vehicles are often connected to a towingvehicle by way of a ball hitch secured to the towing vehicle and a ballsocket coupling mechanism on the towed vehicle mounted over the ball.This configuration allows the towed vehicle to pivot behind the towingvehicle.

The ball hitch of some hitches, such as a gooseneck, for example, iscommonly mounted in the load bed of the towing vehicle near thelongitudinal centerline of the load bed. This may help distribute theweight of the towed vehicle generally evenly between the tires on sidesof the towing vehicle. Gooseneck hitches are often attached to the frameof the towing vehicle under the load bed or attached on the load bed ofthe towing vehicle. In those gooseneck hitches attached to the frame ofthe towing vehicles, at least one hole is usually cut in the load bed ofthe towing vehicle for insertion of the hitch ball.

The hitch balls in gooseneck hitches are typically removable orretractable so that when the gooseneck hitch is not in use, the hitchball may be removed or retracted. This may generally prevent obstructionof use of the load bed when the gooseneck hitch is not in use. Withprimary emphasis placed on storing/removing the hitch assemblies andhitch balls to avoid obstructions within the load bed of the towingvehicle, convenient placement of maintenance fittings have generallybeen overlooked.

Safety chains are often utilized with gooseneck hitches to provide asecondary means of connection between the rear of the towing vehicle andthe front of the towed vehicle. In order to secure the safety chain, thetowing vehicle utilizes some sort of safety chain attachment device.These safety chain attachment devices, however, often obstruct the loadbed of the towing vehicle when the hitch is not being used. One solutionis to drill additional holes in a load bed of the towing vehicle, andsecure a safety chain attachment device to part of the gooseneck hitchattached below the load bed. However, drilling additional holes in theload bed is not always desirable.

Further, removable safety chain attachment devices utilize a singleattachment point with the towing vehicle. This single point attachment,however, may limit the amount of force that may be applied to the safetychain attachment device. This may further limit the amount the gooseneckhitch may be able to effectively operate.

A need, therefore, exists for a safety chain attachment device that isremovable from the load bed of the towing vehicle when not in use, iseasy to operate, and does not require new additional holes to be made inthe load bed of the towing vehicle. Further, there is a need for asafety chain attachment device that is able to utilize more than onepoint of contact and is able to handle larger loads.

SUMMARY

A tie down apparatus for securing an item, the tie down apparatus mayinclude first and second body members, where the first body member isconfigured to be located and rotated about a first axis within a firstreceiving member and the second body member is configured to be locatedand rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member. Firstand second locking members may extend through the first and second bodymembers, respectively, wherein rotating the first and second bodymembers about the respective first and second axes engages the first andsecond locking members and generally prevents removal of the first andsecond body members from the first and second receiving member. A safetychain holding member may be selectively engaged with either of the firstand second body members.

The tie down apparatus may further include first and second handlesattached with the first and second body members, respectively. The firsthandle may be configured to rotate the first body member about the firstaxis. The second handle may be configured to rotate the second bodymember about the second axis. The safety chain holding member mayinclude a safety chain engaging portion and a safety chain lockingportion. The safety chain locking portion may be configured to generallyprevent removal of a hook from the safety chain holding member. Thesafety chain holding member may be configured to operatively handle aload of at least 30,000 pounds. The first body member and second bodymember may be a substantially similar configuration. The first andsecond receiving members may be a substantially a similar configuration.The safety chain holding member may be selectively engaged with both ofthe first and second body members.

A tie down apparatus for securing an item of the present disclosure mayinclude a body member contoured to secure a safety chain. A firstmounting member may extend from the body member, wherein the firstmounting member may be configured to be received by a first receivingmember whereby rotating the first mounting member about a first axisselectively engages the first mounting member with the first receivingmember. A second mounting member may extend through the body member,wherein the second mounting member may be configured to be received by asecond receiving member whereby rotating the second mounting memberabout a second axis selectively engages the second mounting member withthe second receiving member. The first and second mounting membersengaged to the first and second receiving members, respectivelygenerally prevents axially movement of the body member.

The first mounting member may be fixed relative to the body. The firstand second mounting members may include first and second lockingmembers, respectively to selectively engage the respective first andsecond receiving members. A handle may extend from the second mountingmember and may be configured to rotate the second mounting memberrelative to the body to operatively secure the second mounting member tothe second receiving member. The handle may be configured to beoperatively secured to the body when the second locking member isengaged to the second receiving member.

A tie down apparatus for securing an item, the tie down apparatus mayinclude a body member contoured to secure a safety chain thereto. Thebody member may include first and second apertures. First and secondmounting members may extend through the first and second apertures,respectively, wherein the first and second mounting members may beconfigured to be received by first and second receiving members,respectively. First and second handles may be operatively secured withthe first and second mounting members, respectively, wherein rotation ofthe first and second handles about first and second axes, respectively,engages the first and second mounting members to the first and secondreceiving members. This configuration may generally prevent axiallymovement of the body member relative to the first and second receivingmembers.

The first and second mounting members may include first and secondlocking members, respectively to selectively engage the first and secondreceiving members. The first and second mounting members may include afirst and a second handle, respectively. The first handle and the secondhandle may be operatively secured to the body member. The first handleand second handle may be operatively secured to one another as first andsecond mounting members are operatively engaged to the first and secondreceiving members. The body member may further include a channel that isconfigured to receive the first and second handles therein as the firstand second mounting members are operatively engaged to the first andsecond receiving members. The body member may include a third apertureconfigured to operatively accept the safety chain. The third aperturemay include a reinforced area whereby the safety chain is operativelyengageable. The third aperture may be configured to accept a hook of thesafety chain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention maybe better understood by reference to the detailed description taken inconnection with the following illustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a removable safety chain tie downapparatus selectively attached with an under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary under bed hitch mountingsystem.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the removable safety chain tie downapparatus.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the removable safety chain tie downapparatus.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a safety chain body of a removablesafety chain tie down apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a safety chain body of a removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the safety chain body of a removablesafety chain tie down apparatus of FIG. 8 along line B-B.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of embodiments of a removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of embodiments of a removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of embodiments of a removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of embodiments of a removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of embodiments of a removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the embodiments of the removable safety chaintie down apparatus of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the embodiments of the removable safetychain tie down apparatus of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of embodiments of a removable safety chaintie down apparatus.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the removable safetychain tie down apparatus of FIG. 17 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thepresent teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural and functional changes may be made without departing fromthe respective scope of the present teachings. Moreover, features of thevarious embodiments may be combined or altered without departing fromthe scope of the present teachings. As such, the following descriptionis presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any waythe various alternatives and modifications that may be made to theillustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

A removable safety chain tie down apparatus or assembly 10 isillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 . The removable safety chain tie downapparatus 10 may be configured to selectively attached with an under bedhitch mounting system 20, such as that shown and described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,121,573 and 8,414,009 and U.S. Application Ser. No. 13/992,331now U.S. Published Patent application number US 2013/0307248A1 all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference—see also FIG. 2 . By way of anon-limiting example, the under bed hitch mounting system 20 may beattached to a frame of a towing vehicle in any appropriate manner, suchas disclosed in the aforementioned patents and published patentapplication.

The under bed hitch mounting system 20 may include at least one rail 24and at least one receiving member 28 attached to the at least one rail24. By way of a non-limiting example, the under bed hitch mountingsystem 20 may include a pair of transverse rails 24 with each rail 24having a receiving member 28 attached to each end thereof. The under bedhitch mounting system 20 may therefore include four receiving members28. The receiving members 28 may be of any appropriate configuration,including, without limitation as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,121,573and 8,414,009 and U.S. Application Ser. No. 13/992,331 now U.S.Published Patent application number US 2013/0307248A1.

The under bed hitch mounting system 20 and in particular the receivingmembers 28 may be accessible from a load bed of the towing vehicle.Holes may be formed in the load bed that may correspond with each of thereceiving members 28 such that they are accessible from the load bed.Further, each of the receiving members 28 may include a locking cavity56 of any appropriate configuration. It should be understood, however,that any appropriate configuration of an under bed hitch mounting systemmay be utilized without departing from the present teachings.

The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 may include at leastone mounting member 32, a safety chain body member 36 and at least onecontrol handle 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the removable safetychain tie down apparatus 10 may include a corresponding number ofmounting members 32, such as by way of a non-limiting four, as receivingmembers 28 of the under bed hitch mounting system 20. It should beunderstood, however, that any appropriate number of mounting members 32may be utilized without departing from the present teachings.

As shown, the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 may include apair of mounting members 32 that may be selectively engaged with acorresponding pair of receiving members 28. A first body member 36 mayinclude a mounting member 32 that may be aligned along a first axis 34and an opposing mounting member 32 may be aligned along a second axis38. When selectively engaged, a first receiving member 28 is alignedalong the first axis 34 and a second receiving member 28 is alignedalong the second axis 38. As illustrated by FIG. 1 , a second bodymember 36′ may be spaced from the first body member 36. This may alsoresult in each of the body members 36, 36′ of the removable safety chaintie down apparatus 10 having a pair of control handles 40 as the firstand second control handles 40 may be operatively attached with each ofthe mounting members 32 as described in more detail below. This mayresult in the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 having twopoints of attachment with the under bed hitch mounting system 20 asopposed to a single point of attachment for most other prior artsystems. The two point of attachments for the removable safety chain tiedown apparatus 10 may allow it to withstand greater loads than otherprior art systems. By way of a non-limiting example, the removablesafety chain tie down apparatus 10 utilizing the two points ofattachment may be able to operatively handle loads at least 31,500 oreven 35,000 pounds. Such loads may include a 35,000 pound chain pull.This may result in the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10being a heavy duty system configured for large load applications.

The mounting member 32 may include an elongated body 44 having at leastone locking lug 48 adjacent an end thereof and an accessory mountingshank 52 distal the locking lug 48. As shown, the mounting member 32 mayinclude two opposed locking lugs 48. The mounting member 32 may includeat least one bushing 60 configured to have inserted therein a portion ofthe elongated body 44.

The bushing 60 may include an annular ring portion 64 and a key locator68 extending therefrom and adjacent thereto. The key locator 68 may beof a mating or corresponding configuration to that of the receivingmember 28. The bushing 60 may further include a generally cylindricalbody portion 72 that maybe of any appropriate configuration. As shown,the cylindrical body 72 may include two generally flat portions 76 aswill be described in more detail below. The bushing 60 may furtherinclude an aperture 80 extending therethrough. The aperture 80 may be ofa configuration to accept the elongated body 44 such that the elongatedbody 44 may extend therethrough.

The mounting member 32 may further include a jam nut 84. The jam nut 84may be configured to engage the cylindrical portion 72 of the bushing60. As shown, the cylindrical portion 72 may be inserted through the jamnut 84 such that the jam nut 84 may circumscribe the cylindrical portion72 of the bushing.

The safety chain body 36 may be of any appropriate configuration. Asshown in FIG. 3 , the safety chain body 36 may include a generallyC-shaped cross-sectional shape. It should be understood, however, thatthe safety chain body 36 may include an appropriate shape and is notlimited to that shown and described herein. The safety chain body 36 mayformed from a monolithic member or may be formed through attachment ofcomponents. In those embodiments in which the safety chain body 36 isformed from components or monolithically formed therewith, the safetychain body 36 may include a generally C-shaped member 88. The C-shapedmember 88 may be formed from a single plate member formed into suchC-shape through any appropriate process.

The C-shaped member 88 may include channel 92 formed therein. Thechannel 92 may be of any appropriate shape and as shown may extendgenerally an entire length of the C-shaped member 88. The C-shapedmember 88 may further include a pair of apertures 96 positioned withinthe channel 92 and a second aperture 97. The apertures 96 may beconfigured to engage at least a portion of the mounting member 32. Byway of a non-limiting example, the cylindrical portion 72 of the bushing60 may be inserted into and through each of the apertures 96. Theapertures 96 may include a pair of flat sides 100 that may correspondwith the flat portions 76 of the cylindrical portion 72. The flatportions 76 may engage with the flat sides 100 so as to generallyprevent rotation of the bushing 60 when inserted into and through theapertures 96. Further, as shown once the bushing 60 is inserted into athrough the aperture 96, the jam nut 84 may operatively engage thebushing 60 as described above, e.g., snap fit, threaded together orotherwise engaged therewith. In such embodiments, the C-shaped member 88may be positioned between the jam nut 84 and the bushing 60.

The safety chain body 36 may further include a reinforcement member 102that may be attached with the C-shaped member 88 in any appropriatemanner. By way of a non-limiting example, the reinforcement member 102may be welded to a portion of the C-shaped member 88, fastened ormonolithically formed therewith. The reinforcement member 102 mayprovide additional stiffness to the removable safety chain tie downapparatus 10 during operation thereof. This may permit the removablesafety chain tie down apparatus 10 to operatively withstand greaterforces than other prior art systems.

The safety chain body 36 may further include a pair of gussets 106. Thegussets 106 may be attached with the C-shaped member 88 at opposed sidesthereof. By way of a non-limiting example, the gussets 106 may be weldedto, fastened with or monolithically formed with opposed sides of theC-shaped member 88 at ends of the channel 92. The gussets 106 mayprovide additional support to the safety chain body 36 during operationthereof so that it may withstand greater forces than prior art systems.

The safety chain body 36 may further include a safety chain aperture 110of any appropriate configuration. The safety chain aperture 110 may beconfigured such that a portion of the safety chain (not shown) mayengage the safety chain aperture 110 to retain the safety chain in itsoperative position. By way of a non-limiting example, the safety chainaperture 110 may be configured within the safety chain body 36 so thatthere is a safety chain engaging portion 114 and a safety chain lockingportion 118. The safety chain engaging portion 114 permits the user toengage the safety chain with the removable safety chain tie downapparatus 10. The safety chain locking portion 118 generally preventsthe safety chain from being removed or otherwise becoming disengagedwith the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10. In theseembodiments, the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 may havetwo points of contact with the under bed hitch mounting system 20 and asingle point of engagement with a safety chain, i.e., the safety chainengaging portion 114.

In some embodiments, the safety chain engaging portion 114 may include aportion of the safety chain body 36 that is adjacent to and extendinglaterally from the safety chain aperture 110. The safety chain engagingportion 114 may be of a dimension such that a hook 116 of a safety chainmay be selectively engaged to and disengaged from the safety chainengaging portion 114. By way of a non-limiting example, the safety chainengaging portion 114 may be approximately one inch. However, the presentteachings are not limited to this dimension.

The safety chain locking portion 118 may include a portion of the safetychain body 36 that is adjacent to and extending transversely from thesafety chain aperture 110. The safety chain locking portion 118 may begenerally perpendicular the safety chain engaging portion 114. Stillfurther, the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 may includetwo safety chain locking portions 118, which may be positioned distalone another. The safety chain locking portion 118 may be of a dimensionsuch that the hook of a safety chain may be prevented from being able tobe removed from the safety chain locking portion 118 when engagedtherewith. By way of a non-limiting example, the safety chain lockingportion 118 may be approximately three to four inches.

In operation, a user may attach the hook of the safety with the safetychain engaging portion 114. During use of the removable safety chain tiedown apparatus 10, the hook and in turn a portion of the safety chainmay be pulled toward either of the safety chain locking portion 118 suchthat the hook may become engaged therewith. When the hook is engagedwith the safety chain locking portion 118, the hook may be generallyprevented from being removed. In some embodiments, the hook may be of acorresponding size with the safety chain locking portion 118 such thatthe safety chain locking portion 118 substantially fills the space ofthe hook preventing it from become open and disengaged. Further, inthose embodiments in which a pair of safety chain locking portions 118is utilized, a pair of hooks may be utilized such that each hook engageswith each of the safety chain locking portions 118 such that the safetychain locking portions 118 generally prevent removal of the hooks.

As noted above, the control handle 40 may be operatively engaged withthe mounting member 32 to engage and disengage the mounting member 32with the under bed hitch mounting system 20 to engage and disengage theremovable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 with the under bed hitchmounting system 20. In some embodiments, the control handle 40 mayinclude an aperture 126 extending therethrough. The aperture 126 may bepositioned at an end portion 130 of the control handle 40. A reinforcingmember 134 may be attached with the control handle 40 and may generallycircumscribe the aperture 126. The aperture 126 and reinforcing member134 may be configured to allow a portion of the accessory mounting shank52 to extend therethrough.

In some embodiments, the accessory mounting shank 52 may include anaperture 138 at an end portion thereof. The accessory mounting shank 52may be inserted through the aperture 126 and reinforcing member 134. Alynch pin 142 may be operatively inserted through the aperture 138securing the mounting member 32 with the control handle 40. Further, thereinforcing member 134 may include a clearance portion 146, such as aslot as shown, whereby the lynch pin 142 may engage upon insertionthrough the aperture 138. The slot 146 may be of a configuration suchthat the lynch pin 142 may engage it and prevent the lynch pin 142 fromextending above the reinforcing member 134. This may generally preventthe lynch pin 142 from becoming inadvertently removed from the aperture138. Additionally, this may prevent the mounting shank 52 from becominginadvertently rotated relative to the reinforcing member 134 as it ispositioned relative to the control handle 40.

The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 may be configured to beselectively attached and detached from the under bed hitch mountingsystem 20. As noted above, the removable safety chain tie down apparatus10 may be selectively attached with the under bed hitch mounting system20 at two points of connection, i.e., it may selectively attach with twoof the receiving members 28 of the under bed hitch mounting system 10.In such embodiments, the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10may include the pair of mounting members 32. Each of the mountingmembers 32 may be aligned with a corresponding locking cavity 56 of thereceiving member 28 in the load bed of the towing vehicle. Sufficientclearance may exist for the mounting member 32 to enter and seat in thelocking cavity 56. Once fully seated, the mounting member 32 may berotated approximately 90 degrees with respect to the receiving member 28such that the locking lugs 48 may be generally aligned with the lockingcavity 56 generally preventing removal from the locking cavity 56.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , each of the pair of mounting members 32 maybe secured to the safety chain body 36 securing the removable safetychain tie down apparatus 10 with the under bed hitch mounting system 20.More specifically, the accessory mounting shank 52 of the body 44 may beinserted through the aperture 80 of the bushing 60. This may be repeatedfor each of the mounting members 32. The cylindrical portion 72 of thebushing 60 may be inserted through the aperture 96 of the safety chainbody 36. The flat portions 76 of the bushing 60 may mate with the flatsides 100 of the apertures 96, i.e., the aperture 96 may be acircularand may engage a cooperating acircular portion of the bushing 60. Thismay generally prevent the bushing 60 from rotating relative to thesafety chain body 36. Further, the accessory mounting shank 52 mayextend into the channel 92.

The jam nut 84 may be inserted into the channel 92 and engaged with theaccessory mounting shank 52 positioned within the channel 92. In someembodiments, the jam nut 84 may threadably engage the accessory mountingshank 52 or the jam nut 84 may be friction fit with the accessorymounting shank 52. The control handle 40 may be inserted into thechannel 92 such that a portion of the control handle 40 may extendthrough aperture 97. The control handle 40 may be operatively attachedwith the mounting member 32. More specifically, the accessory mountingshank 52 may be inserted into and through the aperture 126 of thecontrol handle 40 and through the reinforcing member 134. The lynch pin142 may be inserted into and engaged with the aperture 138 of theaccessory mounting shank 52. The lynch pin 142 may rest within the slot146 generally preventing removal therefrom. Again, this may be repeatedfor the other mounting member 32 and control handle 40.

When it is desired to attach the removable safety chain tie downapparatus 10 each of the pair of mounting members 32 may be aligned byoperation of its respective control handle 40 so that locking lugs 48 ofeach of the mounting members 32 are generally aligned with the lockingcavity 56. This provides the necessary clearance to allow each mountingmember 32 to drop into and be fully seated in the locking cavity 56 ofthe associated receiving member 28. Once each mounting member 32 isfully seated, each of the control handles 40 may be rotated through anarc of approximately 90 degrees. Simultaneously, the mounting members 32may be rotated so that the locking lugs 48 may now be aligned with andengage the receiving members 28.

This engagement between the lugs 48 and the receiving member 28 servesto secure the mounting member 32 and, therefore, the removable safetychain tie down apparatus 10 to the under bed hitch mounting system 20and the towing vehicle. The control handles 40 may be secured in thelocking position. In particular, ends 150 of the control handles 40 mayextend into engagement with one another within the channel 92. The ends150 may each include an aperture 154. A fastener, such as a pin, can beinserted through the aperture 154, which may secure the control handles40 and the mounting members 32 in the locked position. To remove theremovable safety chain tie down apparatus 10, the opposite may becompleted and the mounting member 32 removed from the receiving member28.

The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 being a two pointengagement with the towing vehicle, or more specifically the under bedhitch mounting system 20 may operatively handle a larger loads of towedvehicles, e.g., a pull chain load of approximately 35,000 pounds. Theremovable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 may provide a practical andhidden safety chain tie down apparatus that may be associated with andattached to a trailer mounting system where the removable safety chaintie down apparatus 10 may be adapted to reliably and securely engage thehooks 116 of a safety chain. Unlike the prior art, the removable safetychain tie down apparatus 10 may utilize two points of attachment.

The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 may be constructed tosecurely and removably anchor down the safety chain that may be in usewith a trailer hitch. The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10may be of any number, including, without limitation having two pointsattached with the towing vehicle and may be of any appropriate shape.The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 10 may have a streamlineddesign and appearance that may be aesthetically pleasing. The removablesafety chain tie down apparatus 10 may be used with any appropriatetrailer hitch mounting kit, such as for example, such as with the“Signature Series” produced and sold by Cequent.

Additional embodiments of a removable safety chain tie down apparatusaccording the present teachings are described below. In thedescriptions, all of the details and components may not be fullydescribed or shown. Rather, some of the features or components aredescribed and, in some instances, differences with the above-describedembodiments may be pointed out. Moreover, it should be appreciated thatthese other embodiments may include elements or components utilized inthe above-described embodiments although not shown or described. Thus,the descriptions of these other embodiments are merely exemplary and notall-inclusive nor exclusive. Moreover, it should be appreciated that thefeatures, components, elements and functionalities of the variousembodiments may be combined or altered to achieve a desired removablesafety chain tie down apparatus without departing from the spirit andscope of the present teachings.

A removable safety chain tie down apparatus 210, such as that shown inFIG. 10 , may include a fixed mounting member 232 a and a mountingmember 232 similar to what is described above. In such embodiments, thefixed mounting member 232 a may be secured with the receiving member 28.The other mounting member 232 may be selectively attached with theapplicable receiving member 28 as described above. The fixed mountingmember 232 a and mounting member 232 may result in a two pointattachment for the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 210, whichmay permit the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 210 tooperatively handle larger loads than prior art systems.

The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 210 may include a handle242 and a safety chain engaging body 248. The safety chain engaging body248 may include an aperture 250 to which a safety chain or hook of asafety chain may operatively and selectively engage. The handle 242 maybe configured to engage with the safety chain engaging body 248 whenselectively positioned in the locking position shown in FIG. 10 .

A removable safety chain tie down apparatus 310, such as that shown inFIG. 11 , may include a pair of mounting members 332 similar to what isdescribed above. The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 310 mayinclude a handle 342 and a safety chain engaging body 348. The safetychain engaging body 348 may include a pair of safety chain engagingmembers, such as the apertures 350. The apertures 350 may be of aconfiguration that a safety chain or hook 116 of a safety chain mayoperatively and selectively engage. The handle 342 may be configured toengage with the safety chain engaging body 348 when selectivelypositioned in the locking position shown in FIG. 11 . The pair ofmounting members 332 may result in a two point attachment for theremovable safety chain tie down apparatus 310.

A removable safety chain tie down apparatus 410, such as that shown inFIG. 12 , may include a pair of mounting members 432 similar to what isdescribed above. The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 410 mayinclude a handle 442 and a safety chain engaging body 448. The safetychain engaging body 448 may include a safety chain engaging member, suchas aperture 450. The aperture 450 may be of a configuration that asafety chain or hook of a safety chain may operatively and selectivelyengage. The handle 442 may be configured to engage with the safety chainengaging body 448 when selectively positioned in the locking positionshown in FIG. 12 . The pair of mounting members 432 may result in a twopoint attachment for the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 410.

A removable safety chain tie down apparatus 510, such as that shown inFIG. 13 , may include a pair of mounting members 532 similar to what isdescribed above. The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 510 mayinclude a handle 542 and a safety chain engaging body 548. The safetychain engaging body 548 may include a safety chain engaging member, suchas aperture 550. The aperture 550 may be of a configuration that asafety chain or hook of a safety chain may operatively and selectivelyengage. The handle 542 may be configured to engage with the safety chainengaging body 548 and may be positioned within a portion of the safetychain engaging body 548 as shown when selectively positioned in thelocking position shown in FIG. 13 . The pair of mounting members 532 mayresult in a two point attachment for the removable safety chain tie downapparatus 510, which may allow it to handle larger loads than otherprior art systems.

A removable safety chain tie down apparatus 610, such as that shown inFIGS. 14-16 , may include a fixed mounting member 632 a and a mountingmember 632 similar to what is described above. In such embodiments, thefixed mounting member 632 a may be secured with the receiving member 28.The other mounting member 632 may be selectively attached with theapplicable receiving member 28 as described above. The fixed mountingmember 632 a and mounting member 632 may result in a two pointattachment for the removable safety chain tie down apparatus 610, whichmay allow it to handle larger loads than other prior art systems.

The removable safety chain tie down apparatus 610 may include a handle642 and a safety chain engaging body 648. The safety chain engaging body648 may include a portion 650 to which a safety chain or hook 653 of asafety chain may operatively and selectively engage. The handle 642 maybe configured to engage with the safety chain engaging body 648 whenselectively positioned in the locking position shown in FIGS. 14-16 . Inoperation, the fixed mounting member 632 a of the removable safety chaintie down apparatus 610 may be inserted into a rear receiving member 28.The safety chain engaging body 648 may be rotated an appropriate amount,such as by way of a non-limiting example it may be rotated rearward 90degrees—it may also be rotated any amount in any appropriate directionwithout departing from the present teachings. The forward attachment orthe other mounting member 632 may be lowered into a forward receivingmember 28 such that the other mounting member 632 operatively engagesthe applicable receiving member 28. Once operatively engaged, the handle642 may be rotated and the other mounting member 632 may selectivelyengage the applicable receiving member 28. By way of a non-limitingexample, the handle 642 may be rotated approximately 90 degrees toselectively engage the other mounting member 632 with the receivingmember 28. The handle 642 may be generally aligned with the body 648 asthe removable safety chain tie down apparatus 610 is engaged with thereceiving members 28. In some embodiments the handle 642 may beselectively attached to the body 648 for example with a projection 658that extends from the body 648 through an aperture 662 in the handle642. However, any known manner of selective attachment between thehandle 642 and body 648 is contemplated by the disclosure.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate other embodiments of a removable safety chaintie down apparatus 710, which may include a handle 742 and a safetychain engaging body 748. The safety chain engaging body 748 may includea portion 750 to which a safety chain or hook of a safety chain mayoperatively and selectively engage. The handle 742 may be configured toengage with the safety chain engaging body 748 when selectivelypositioned in the locking position shown in FIG. 18 . In operation, thefixed mounting member 732 a of the removable safety chain tie downapparatus 710 may be inserted into a rear receiving member 28. Thesafety chain engaging body 748 may be rotated an appropriate amount,such as by way of a non-limiting example it may be rotated 90 degreesrelative to the receiving member 28. The opposing mounting member 732may be lowered into an opposing receiving member 28 such that themounting member 732 operatively engages the applicable receiving member28. Once operatively engaged, the handle 742 may be rotated and themounting member 732 may selectively engage the applicable receivingmember 28 to become secured therein. By way of a non-limiting example,the handle 742 may be rotated approximately 90 degrees to selectivelyengage the mounting member 732 with the receiving member 28. The handle742 may be generally aligned with the body 748 as the apparatus 710 isengaged to the receiving members 28. In some embodiments the handle 742may be selectively attached to the body 748 for example the handle 742may form a channel 758 that may at least partially conform to a surface762 of the body 748 such that a locking pin 770 may extend throughapertures 772 in the handle 742. However, any known manner of selectiveattachment between the handle 742 and body 748 is contemplated by thedisclosure.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustratedin the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detaileddescription, it is to be understood that the present invention is not tobe limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the inventiondescribed herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modificationsand substitutions without departing from the scope of the claimshereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include allmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe claims or the equivalent thereof.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:
 1. A tie down apparatus comprising: a first mounting member comprising a locking end and a handle engaging end configured to be rotated about a first axis within a first receiving member; a generally L-shaped second mounting member comprising a first mounting member engaging end having an opening therethrough shaped to be received on the first mounting member handle engaging end, a safety chain engaging body portion, and a locking portion, the locking portion configured to be rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member, wherein rotating the first and second mounting members about the respective first and second axes generally prevents removal of the first and second mounting members from the first and second receiving members, respectively; a handle pivotally connected to the first mounting member about a third axis, wherein the handle is configured to rotate the first mounting member about the first axis and wherein the handle is selectively lockable to the safety chain engaging body member.
 2. The tie down apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a pin engaged with the safety chain engaging body member; an aperture positioned in the handle, wherein the pin is engageable with the aperture to prevent pivoting of the handle relative to the safety chain engaging body member.
 3. The tie down apparatus of claim 2, wherein the handle is rotated approximately 90 degrees to selectively engage the first mounting member with the first receiving member.
 4. The tie down apparatus of claim 1, wherein the safety chain engaging body member is rotated approximately 90 degrees to selectively engage the second mounting member with the second receiving member.
 5. The tie down apparatus of claim 1, wherein the safety chain engaging body member is configured to operatively handle a load of at least 30,000 pounds.
 6. The tie down apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is generally aligned with the safety chain engaging body member when the first and second locking members are engaged to the first and second receiving members.
 7. A tie down apparatus comprising: a first mounting member; a second mounting member; a safety chain engaging body member integrally formed with the second mounting member and directly connected to the first mounting members, wherein the first mounting member is configured to be received by a first receiving member whereby rotating the first mounting member about a first axis selectively engages the first mounting member with the first receiving member; wherein the second mounting member is configured to be received by a second receiving member whereby rotating the second mounting member about a second axis selectively engages the second mounting member with the second receiving member, wherein the first and second mounting members being engaged to the first and second receiving members, respectively generally prevents axial movement of the safety chain engaging body member; a handle pivotally attached to the first mounting member about a third axis, the handle selectively and lockably attachable to the safety chain engaging body member; a pin engaged with the safety chain engaging body member; an aperture positioned in the handle, wherein the pin is engageable with the aperture to prevent pivoting of the handle relative to the safety chain engaging body member.
 8. The tie down apparatus of claim 7, wherein the safety chain engaging body member is configured to operatively handle a load of at least 30,000 pounds.
 9. The tie down apparatus of claim 7, wherein the handle is generally aligned with the safety chain engaging body member when the first and second mounting members are engaged to the receiving members.
 10. A safety chain tie down apparatus configured to removably mount to a hitch mounting system comprising: a first mounting member having a locking end and a handle engaging end, the first mounting member configured to be rotated about a first axis within a first receiving member; a generally L-shaped second mounting member comprising a first mounting member engaging end having an opening therethrough shaped to be received on the first mounting member handle engaging end between a handle and the first mounting member locking end, a safety chain engaging body portion, and a locking portion, the locking portion configured to be rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member to a locking position wherein removal of the second mounting member from the second receiving member is prevented; and wherein the handle is pivotally mounted to the handle engaging end of the first mounting member about a third axis, rotating the handle about the first axis rotates the first mounting member about the first axis to a locked position wherein removal of the first mounting member from the first receiving member is prevented, and the handle may be secured in a position such that the first mounting member remains secured in the locked position.
 11. The tie down apparatus of claim 10, wherein the handle conforms to a surface of the safety chain engaging body member when the first mounting member is engaged to the first receiving member.
 12. The tie down apparatus of claim 10, wherein the safety chain engaging body member is rotated approximately 90 degrees to selectively engage the second mounting member with the second receiving member.
 13. The tie down apparatus of claim 10, wherein the handle is rotated approximately 90 degrees to selectively engage the first mounting member with the first receiving member.
 14. The tie down apparatus of claim 10, wherein the safety chain engaging body member is configured to operatively handle a load of at least 30,000 pounds.
 15. The tie down apparatus of claim 10, wherein the handle is generally aligned with the safety chain engaging body member when the first and second mounting members are engaged with the first and second receiving members, respectively. 